Coupling for lubrication systems



Sept. 5, 1950 c. c. s. LE'. cLAlR COUPLING FOR LUBRICATION SYSTEMS 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 14, 1947 Meir/(Z672 [M Sept. 5, 1950 c. c. s. LE CLAMR COUPLING FOR LUBRICATION SYSTEMS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 14, 1947 Sept. 5, 1950 c. c. s.`| x: CLAIR couPmzNG FOR LUBRICATION SYSTEMS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 14, 194'? @UWT/figs C. C. S. LE CLAIR COUPLING FOR LUBRICATION SYSTEMS Sept. 5, 1,950

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 14, 1947 Patented Sept. 5, 1950 COUPLINGFOR LUBRICATION 'SYSTEMS Camille Clare Sprankling Le Clair, Acton, London,

England, assigner to Tecalemit Limited, Brentford, England, a corporation of Great Britain Application April 14, 1947, Serial No. 741,362 In Great BritainAprilZ, 1946 12 Claims.

This invention relates ingeneral to lubrication systems of the kind in which lubricant is discharged at high pressure by means of' a grease gun or other high pressure lubricantfdischarging device into a nipple or lubricant-receiving device which is usually attached permanently to the part to be lubricated. The invention also relates to lubrication systems in which a grease gun or equivalent is provided with, or is connected to, a nozzle which is provided with jaws or other device, whereby the -nozzle may be detachably applied by direct thrust or detachably attached by push-on, pull-on or lateral or other method of engagement to the nipple, which latter may be formed with a flange or head or other means adapted to be engaged by the jaws or other device of the nozzlebcdy.

The invention thus relates, for example, to lubrication systems in which the nozzle is adapted to form a lubricant tight joint with the nipple by thrust applied to the nozzle, or in which the nozzle comprises a number of movable jaws which, when operated manually, mechanically, or by the pressure of the lubricant forced into Vthe nozzle by the grease gun or equivalent, are adapted to forml a` detachable connection 4with the nipple, or in which the `nozzle is provided with ixed jaws in thelformof, a channel adapted to form a detachablev connection with a flange on the nipple.

More speciiically, thepresent invention relates to lubrication systems as described inthe speci- .iicaticn o i my co-pending application Serial No.

741,361, led April 14, 1947 and entitled Lubricating Systems which provides nipples orlubricant receiving devices (hereinafter called nipples) which are so constructed that dirt cannot collect in the inletsto the lubricant passages and which thereby overcome the disadvantages of4 knownnpples. in which, whether or notthey. are providedwith. non-return valves, the inlets of the said passages form lodgements in which dirt can collect. I

As describedin the said specification the inlet end of the lubricant passage inthe nipple is. provided with a closure member which is made of flexible or resilient lubricant impervious material, andis formed witha passage of such small size that the lubricant passage is, normally closed, and there is noexposed aperture or space in the closure member in .which dirt can collect. The closure member and the nipple body surrounding it are, however, so constructed that by pressure applied-to the closure member aroundand at a position spaced laterally from, the saidpassage in the closure member, the closure member-'may be so distorted or deflected that the inlet end ofthe passage in the member is opened orlspread initiallyto allow the entry of/ a nozzle or injector device whereby lubricant under pressure imposed upon it by a grease gun orV equivalent device may be delivered into theA said-,passage in the closure member and thence to the pla-ce of use. l

The closure member thus not only actsrto, prevent' the access of dirt to the lubricant passage in thenipple, but also, as will be explained hereinafter, acts as a Ynon-return valve to prevent .the backflow and escape of lubricant when the cant fed into the nozzle by the greasegun .is

adapted to apply the requisite pressure uponr the said closure memberaround theV inlet end ofl the said lubricant passage inthe latter so as to open the inlet end of the passage, and With hOllOW lconduit means which, also by direct thrust, `or

under the pressure of the lubricant, is thrust ,into the opened inlet. end of the passage inthe closure member and thus allows the lubricant to- .be injected through the passage in the closure member into the passage4 in the nipple, and thence to the place of use of the lubricant.

The said exible or resilient closure member in the nipple may consist of a liexible, lubricant impervious teat having an inner flange which is tted in a correspondingly shaped recess formed within the nipple near the inlet end, of the lubricant receiving passage in the nipple, an outer flange and a Waist or part of .reduced diameter which connects the two flanges, the outer ange and the Waistabove the inner ange being surrounded by an annular space formed by an enlargement of the lubricant passage in the nipple. The teat isprovided withastraightthrough passage which is formed by merely piercing the teat Without removing-material. The outer surface of the outer flange of theteatiS ,usually ush with the outer surface of the nipple.

In a modification, the inner ange of the teat is integral with an inwardly projecting tapered shank, which may be formed into two or more ileXible lips divided by a longitudinal slit, or slits, which communicate with the passage.

In a further modification, the outer iiange of the teat is relatively thin and closes the outer end of the said annular space in the nipple, being provided with means for anchoring the peripheral part of the flange to the nipple.

Several constructional forms of nozzles are fully described hereinafter wherein the said means consists of a hollow tubular member which forms part of a piston assembly slidable in the body and which, under the pressure of the lubricant fed into the hollow body of the nozzle or otherwise, is adapted to spread the closure member around the passage in the latter so as to open the inlet end of the passage, and wherein the said conduit means consists of a nozzle or injector device which is slidably arranged in the said hollow tubular member and has a pointed end, which latter under the pressure of the lubricant in the nozzle body acting upon the nozzle or injector device, is

'adapted to be forced into the opened inlet end of the passage in the said closure member so as to allow lubricant forced through the nozzle or injector device to enter the said passage.

The hollow body of the nozzle may be formed with fixed nipple-engaging jaws which are adapted vto engage below and around a circular iiange formed at the outer end of the nipple head so as to provide a detachable connection between the 'nozzle and nipple and so as to ensure that the pointed end of the said nozzle or injector device shall be axially aligned with the lubricant passage `in the said closure member before and during the lubricant injecting operation.

As an alternative, the nozzle may be provided with a number of movable nipple-engaging jaws ',which, under the pressure of the lubricant forced into the nozzle hollow body or otherwise, are adapted to grip a part of the nipple head so as to provide a detachable connection between the nozzle and nipple before and during the lubricant injecting operation.

A nozzle provided with movable nipple-engaging jaws is described hereinafter wherein the said piston assembly is slidable in an inner body part xed in the said hollow body of the nozzle and having an apertured and recessedbottom end or base which is adapted to t upon the outer face of the nipple in such a way that by the pressure of the lubricant in the inner body part the hollow tubular member may be forced to exert an axial thrust upon the closure member at a position around the inlet end of the lubricant passage in the said closure member while the pointed end of the said nozzle or injector device may be forced into the inlet end of the said passage, and wherein the nozzle comprises an outer piston assembly which is slidable in an annular space in the hollow body between the outer wall of the inner body part and the inner wall of the hollow body and which carries a number of nipple-engaging jaws adapted, under the pressure of the lubricant in the hollow body acting upon the outer piston assembly and by cooperation with an abutment on the hollow body, to grip a part of the nipple head, and wherein the outer piston assembly is `acted upon by spring means which, when the thus to allow the said jaws to be released from engagement with the said part of the nipple head.

An alternative construction of nozzle is also described hereinafter wherein the said piston assembly and the hollow tubular member are slidable in an inner body part which is slidable in the said hollow body of the nozzle and has an apertured bottom end or base which is pressedagainst the outer face of the nipple head in such a Way that by the pressure of the lubricant in the inner body part the hollow tubular member may be forced to exert an axial thrust upon the closure member at a position around the inlet of the lubricant passage in the said closure member while the pointed end of the said nozzle or injector device may be forced into the inlet end of the said passage, and wherein a number of nipple-engaging jaws adapted to provide a detachable connection between the nozzle and nipple are carried by the said inner body part and, under the lubricant pressure acting upon the latter, are adapted to grip a part of the nipple head, the inner body part being acted upon 'by spring means which, when the pressure of the lubricant in the nozzle hollow body is relieved, acts to thrust the said piston as sembly away from the nipple engaging end of the nozzle and thus to allow the jaws to be released from engagement with the said part of the nipple head.

A further construction of the nozzle, however, comprises a hollow body formed as a nozzle cr injector device integral with, or adapted to be connected, directly or indirectly, to the outlet conduit of a grease gun, a hollow guide member which is slidable upon the nozzle or injector device and is adapted to enclose the latter and which, by cooperation with the nipple acts as a guide to centralize the nozzle or injector device before the latter is forced into the lubricant passage in the said closure member and which also, under manual pressure applied to the nozzle, acts to distort or deflect the closure member so that the inlet end of the passage in the latter is opened or spread initially to allow the entry of the nozzle or injector device into the said passage in the closure member.

Figure 1 is a sectional view of a nozzle and nipple combination, the nozzle being engaged in its working position on the flanged head of a nipple. In this gure, the nozzle is of the type which comprises xed jaws for engagement upon and around the flanged head of the nipple by pull-on motion and in which the hollow slidable conduit which engages in the lubricant passage in the teat is in the form of a nozzle or injector device and is slidable in a grease-operated piston assembly which is slidable in the nozzle body;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the application of a nozzle as shown in Figure 1 to a modied form of nipple in which the outer flange of the teat is provided with a peripheral rim which is xed in an annular recess formed in the outer face of the nipple;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of another nozzle and nipple combination, the nozzle being engaged in its working position on the head of the nipple. In this figure, the nozzle comprises an outer piston assembly which is slidable upon a iixed inner body part of the nozzle within the outer body part of the nozzle and which also carries nipple-engaging jaws adapted to engage the circular head or ange of a nipple of the type shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the application of a nozzle as shown in Figure 3 to a nipple as shown in Figure 2;

asargoca v- Figure 45ris asectionalviewrof;afurther nozzle andnipple combination, thenozzlerbeing engaged.4

ingzits working'position on the head .of the-nipple. Ini-.this ligure, the inner. pistonassembly andthe nozzleor injector device areslidable in an .inner bodya-partwhich is slidahle Withinthe outer body of; the nozzle andcarries nipple-engaging'jawsadapted .to engage the circular head or iiange of a nipple of the type shown in Figurel;

Eigure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view A'showl ing'the'application ofthe nozzleshown in Figure ;5 'toA amodied form of fnipple;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the application of a .nozzzle-as shownin Figure-#Soto a'nipple as shownin FigureZ;

f Figure-8 is a sectional View ofa further nozzle and; nipple combination. The nozzle shown inv this gure is not adapted` toy be attached ory gripped `to the nipple and .part of the head of the latter isshaped to provide a guide for a sprngurgedtsleeife which is slidable upon the nozzle body'and is adapted to ensure that'the-.pointed endlof the nozzle is in correct .alignment Withxthe lubricant passage in the nipple ateat;

Figure '8A is a fragmentary sectionalview showing-athe applicationof a nozzle as. shown in vFigure 8 to a nipple as shown in Figure 2;

Figures-isa sectional view of a nozzle.v and nipple. combination in which the nozzle is provided with manually-operated nipple engaging jaws;.

Figure 10 is a fragmentarysectional view cfa modification of the nozzle and nipple combination. shownin Figure 9 the nipple-engaging jawsl being.

formed withpro'jections adapted to engagenanf nular grooves or serrations. formed inthe head of@ the nipple;`

Figure lllis aseetional viewof-another nozzle and nipple combination. in which4 the-nozzleisf oirthe type shown in Figure 5 but differs there fromin that its nipple-engaging jawsare formed' withproiections adapted tofengage in annular.

grooves or serrations formed in the-head'oi the nipple; and

Eigures- 12 to 14 areV fragmentary.- sectional viewsshowing the application ofv a nozzle as shown in'Figure 8 to modiiied formsA ofnipple- The nipple is provided with an axial grease. outletpassage 5 which extends from the. bottom end:of the screwed to aposition spaced slightly above the lower flat face'of .the Spanner.- engagingpart 2 of the nipple where it joins a coaxial enlargedloore 6, which at its upper or inletlend is opened out in the form .of La recess havingr. two diierent diameters 'I and 8, shaped to receive the rubber teat.

The flexible, lubricant impervious vteat may-be formed with two flanges 9 and I0 joined by a nar.-V The` lower ilange I is.

rower part or waist II. usually-cfsmallerdiameter than the. upper flange 9; and ishoused in a groove I2 cut in .the smaller diameter part 8 of the recess. Sslishoused in the larger diameter part I of the The upper flange recess;l ,its upper: face?` beingrush with;the'fupperi surface of the nipple; and;airadialclearances I3'.z is allowed between; theedge of.' theflangeandfithe surroundingwa'lltof the recess.'l Anzaxial clearance: I 'i-is2also:allowed.betweeniL the :back aofi the; angeiand thefbottomfofzthe recess and, further,

radial fclearan'ce l 51 isA also allowed. between thewaisti. I I l.ofiltheiteat-:and themetal surrounding.V itsvv The teatislprovidd with'lai.straightethrough axiallubricant': inlet passage? I 6 forrnedfby merely" piercing J the' r teats without removing.V material;

Owing. to` the: flexibility of theV material ofi wl'iichstherteatv ismad; thelower flange' Illcan'` be readily 'inserted intot-thei groove. I2S;.a'lthough; some-distortionzof therubber isnecessaryL tospere) mtaof this.'- In'aa preferred lembodiment:to facili-F tateithis insertion; the lower. flange.V of.` thef teatl may; be :madei tapered"y as shownxinA Figurer. 1.. In' this case-thegroove? I 2; andtthe upper `end.'.of= the'4 smaller bore, may also; iff desired, b'e' made. tapered:. Ifz'made.Y in` this fashion '1. ar.- comparatively4 smallfvertical forcewill'suihce t'othrust the'lower flange. Iuvintoposition.

Whilsthaving the advantageof simplicity, the' particulasn construction"` described' above hasuthedisadvantage that L it.' involves al clearance space' 13;.I41and'zl 5f between Ithe vupperilange `9"and `the waist?. I I of.s the teatal andi thesurrounding: metal` offthenipple'ange. This space may-possibly` lli with. finer` dirt` which,. although: it cannotT be induced into the lubricant stream, maymake itdiicultior'theLupperfnange of the iteat to'fbe deflected; andthe' lubricant; inlet passage. IBS to? beropenedpin the manner desired.

Hence;v in'v the'A second constructional* formr of thenipple' shown in Eigure-Zg theteatr is made ofi" aiV slightly` dierent profile; It 1will)v comprise a lower ange: I1? and'. a waist I8',A .but'thei upper` lange'v-I9Fismade thinner andsoilarger.dianleter', and aroundits peripheralledge a'smallcircumferental downwardlyeturned 'flange' 2cis formedf. This ts into a circular groove 2I cut into the nipple flangev 3 betweenf thew outer: edge 1 of the.` lattersandith'e above mentioned circular recessl:

Tl'ius, although al spaceV is". still l left Il below thev upper flange of the teat it is closed and'cannot' actasai dirt receptacle.`

IIT-either of the*constructionsfshown vin .Figures 11`and'2, it is'preferred'that a'taperedshank*` 22T; be providedlbelowi the lower a'nge part*y IIlior.y IT off theY teat;v projecting: downwards.- into the." lubricants-passage inthe nipple; This tapered shiankV mayor 'may nottbesplitfby a longitudinal cut, or cuts, into two or more lips. In either case, whether sl-itlor not; .owing to theftapered formation, any-back flow of the. grease will'bestopped' bythe pressure of the greaseglcausing the tapered` sides-of the shankito. collapse and the: passage to close. The teatltherefore actsias a. nonreturn Valve; andthe inclusion ofa ball and.v spring; or other conventional type of non-return valve in the nipple. becomes unnecessary.

The nozzle for use in conjunction with eitherA ofthe constructionsfof nipple described above'- comprises a sliding tubular piston device adapted under grease pressure to apply pressure to thev upper flange 9' or Iof the teat at a position surrounding theinlet passage IE in the centre where the material is unsupported in such amanner that the upper flange is deflected downwardsI and the inlet end of the passage is drawn openrto admit the entry of a lubricant nozzle or injector device-incorporated in the nozzle.

Various constructional forms of the nozzle will' now loeV described, their principal diierencef being in the form of the jaws used for effecting detachable attachment to the nipple.

Referring again to Figure 1:

In a first construction, the nozzle for use with the nipple comprises a hollow body 23 which is integral with, or attached to, a, hollow shank 24, the latter being integral with, or adapted to be attached to, the grease outlet conduit of the grease gun (not shown). The bottom or nippleengaging end of the nozzle is formed with a known form of recess of T-section, comprising a lower straight parallel portion 25 which extends from the side of the nozzle body nearest to the grease gun to the centre of the body where it connects with a semi-circular portion which is spaced from the opposite side of the nozzle body. In known manner, this arrangement provides two jaws between which the nipple neck 4 can be slidably engaged, and a channel 26 above the jaws adapted to receive the nipple flange 3.

The bore of the nozzle body 23 extends from the upper face of the body to a position short of the said channel, so that the body is provided with a base 21 separating the bore from the channel. A hole 28 is formed centrally in the base and provides communication between the bore, a recess 28A in the bottom of the base and the channel. The grease inlet conduit 29 in the hollow shank 24 of the hollow body communicates with the bore at a position near the upper face of the nozzle body.

An annular piston assembly is slidably arranged in the bore of the nozzle body and comprises a central metal body 30, having a flange 3| and tubular portions 32 and 33 which project above and below the flange. The flange of a flexible sealing ring 36 is held between the upper face of the flange 3| of the piston body and a nut 34 which is screwed upon a threaded part of the upper part 32 of the tubular portion of the pistonbody, the annular sealing lip of the ring being directed upwards. The piston assembly is constantly urged upwards by a coil spring 35, which reacts between the base 2'| of the nozzle body and the underside of the flange 3| on the piston body.

The upper end of the bore of the nozzle body is closed by a cover plate 36 arranged in a recess in the nozzle body. The cover plate is held in position by a circlip 3T, which is fitted in an annular groove formed in the nozzle body above the cover plate, and a flexible sealing ring or disc 38 is used below the cover to eiect a pressure tight joint.

The lower part 33 of the tubular portion of the piston body 3!) ts slidably in the hole 28 in the base 21 of the nozzle body but, except when the grease gun is in operation, it does not project beyond the lower face of the base, but it is either flush with it or is disposed slightly above it.

. The sealing lip of the sealing washer 36 is so disposed that it can never mask the inlet end of the grease conduit 29 in the hollow shank 24 of the nozzle body. The extern-al diametery of the bottom end of the tubular portion of the piston body is substantially equal to the diameter of the upper ange 9 of the flexible teat in the rst construction of nipple shown in Figure 1, and substantially half the diameter of the flange I9 in the second construction shown in Figure 2.

A lubricant nozzle or injector device in the form of a plunger 39 is slidably arranged in the bore of the tubular portion 30 of the piston body, the bottom end of the plunger being pointed to form a needle orinjector end 40. The plunger tubularportion of the piston body, and slightly below its upper end the plunger is formed with an external flange 4I. The upper and lower ends of the plunger are connected by a central straightthrough bore 42. A coil spring 43, which reacts between the nut 34 screwed upon the upper part 32 of the tubular portion 30 of the piston body and the flange 4I on the plunger, normally holds the upper end of the plunger in contact with the sealing washer 38 in the nozzle body, which thus acts as a stop for the upward movement of the plunger. The annular piston is therefore carried in iioating fashion between the upward reaction of its own spring 35 and the downward reaction of the plunger spring 43 and will move more freely under the influence of the grease pressure than the plunger 39 which is biased upwards only by one spring.

Alternatively, a circlip 30A fitted around the lower part 33 of the tubular portion 30 of the piston body may be used to limit the upward movement o1 the piston, the bottom face of the nozzle body being recessed at 23A, as mentioned above, to accommodate it.

In operation, the nipple-engaging jaws 25 of the nozzle body are first hooked upon the neck Il of the nipple, and the nipple flange 3 is engaged in the channel 26 in the nozzle body, the bottom face 2 of the base of the body then engaging the upper face of the nipple flange. The nozzle is then pulled across the nipple in known fashion until the nipple flange 3 is fully engaged in the semi-circular end of the channel 26 in the nozzle body. In this position, the axis of the plunger 39 and the axial passage I6 in the flexible teat are in exact alignment.

When the grease gun is operated, grease under pressure is forced through the conduit 29 in the hollow shank 24 of the nozzle body into the bore of the latter, exerting a downward thrust on both the plunger 39 and the piston assembly, but, as explained previously, the piston assembly, being held oatingly and more freely than the plunger, will move rst, thrusting the lower end 33 oi the tubular portion downwards on to the upper ange 9 of the flexible teat. As this upper flange isk supported at the middle by the waist II of the teat and is loaded at its edge where it is unsupported by the bottom end of the tubular portion, the edge part of the upper flange flexes downwards and the inlet end of the lubricant passage IG in the teat is pulled radially outwards to receive the pointed stern 46 of the plunger.

If a teat of the second construction shown in I Figure 2, is used, its upper flange I9 is supported at the centre by the waist I8, as in the first construction, and is also supported at the flanged edge 20. The bottom end 33 of the tubular piston 3|] applies pressure about mid-way between these supports, and by a sort of toggle action, see the broken lines, places the ange in radial tension. As the outer edge of the ange I9 is locked in position by the flange 20 in its groove 2|, and it cannot move inwards, the inner part of the flange I9 surrounding the central passage I6 will be pulled radially outwards, thus opening the inlet end of the passage in the teat, ready to receive the pointed end d0 of the plunger 39.

The downward motion of the piston assembly is limited either by a stop 45, for example, in the form of a circlip, or a shoulder on the lower end 33 of the tubular portion of the piston engaging the base 2? of the nozzle body, or by the underside of the flange 9 or I9 of the flexible teat projects upwards out of the upper end of the 75 contacting the bottom ofthe recess 1 in which, or

wlfiichis'integralwith;or"attachedftoz "a ho `sharlkla the latter being integralwith; or-adaftf verwhicnitiisltted. 'Assodn'-asftheaownward motion of thepiston'a'ssembly isar'restedfurthr operation of the 'grease gun will oausietliebressure ofthe 'greas'e in the nozzle body bore'to "downwards untilits n'eedle'or injector Tend, l) is- Vthrust into 'the opened" inlet end I ofthe lubricant 'passagefl'inthe'flexible teat. Y The downwardmotionoftheplunger 'siliinited either l'by 'a *stop "'46, "iore'xampl'e, in the 'forni 'foi i a cirolip, or a shoulder, on 'the fipper Dart'f Athe "plunger, or the `flange Ail I *against which 'the spring cl3 reacts, contactingthe'upperendbftlie "part -32 of the tubular portion ofthe piston'fbd'y, or by pressure between the needler injector 'i' fend of 'the plungerfand thema-terial of "the teat.

-Still vfurther ioperation of the grease 'g'uhiill `cause '-a charge of lubrie'antlto'b'e 'injectdviaf'tlie passage 42 inthe plunger into the vpassage fjn the teat, and `thence into thelubricait outlet bas'sageinthe nipple yto a place of use. 'When the operation of theg-rease-gunis Vdl's'- a oontinue'd lthe"plunger -39 is first vthrusti1li-rural*ds into its original position by-itsooi'lsbring s l3gai`f'1il the piston assembly then follows under thedrl- '1" -Tluenc'e of its own sbr-ing vcil-l's untilfthe'lwer 'end part-33 of th'e tubular portionl df'the 'piston :body is retracted into its original posltionintlie hole 28 in the base 27 ofthe Ln oazle body. "The 1t will be appreciated that this construction the fixed nipple :engaging `jaws :1in *the fnozle -vgrip the nipple-headjand when the -p're'ssir on the lubricant "is relaxed they Vrecedebaci; v"into the body of the nozle, all substant lly as "jdescribed hereinafter and in the Unitedv Kingdom Patent No. 430,827.

referring to Figure 3% `in this'fcoitruo'- tion, vthe nozzle compris'es'an outer hollow ed to be attached to, the grease outlet conduit fof the grease 'gun (notshown'). The bottom or nipple' engaging fend of the body -is Aformed with lfiead'fl of the nipple 52, -of whatever vproiile it may be, to pass through. The upper, orii'irin side of Vthe ange 49 is bevelled internally at 53 body.

is f

"LII

A @g5 @ligure 11. The 'Cover` 54 Vis provided with rajthreadedjdoiv'vri- 1l where they were arranged for advancing receding movement as well.

As shown in Figure 5, in this construction, the inner annular piston I3 and its grease injecting plunger 'I4 are slidably arranged within an inner body 15, as in the second construction, but the body, instead of being attached to a boss on the cover of the outer body and thus held in fixed relationship thereto, is, in this construction, fitted with its own separate cover 16, and with a flangelike piston 11 and sealing ring '18. The whole assembly of sleeve, cover and piston is made slidable within an outer body 19, which is integral with, or attached to, a hollow shank 80, which in turn is adapted to be attached to the grease outlet conduit of the grease gun (not shown) as in the previous described constructions.

The outer body I9 isl closed at its upper end by a cover 19A and is formed at its lower end with an inwardly turning ange 8|, having a bevelled upper face 82, as in the second construction, and the depending jaws 83, which in this construction are attached to the outer surface of the inner cylinder 15, engage this bevel and are forced inwards, as will be described hereinafter. The inner body and the piston with the depending jaws 83 are urged upwards by a coil spring 84 reacting between the piston flange Tl and a fiat ledge 85 provided on the inwardly-turning flange 8| on the outer body, the spring in this case surrounding the jaws and being located between them and the outer body.

Leaf springs 86 between the jaws 83 and the inner body surface may be employed for the purpose of spreading the jaws to their widest capacity. A hole, or holes 8'1, drilled through the inner cover i5 provide communication for ingress and egress of grease from the outer body I9 to the inner cylinder 15. This cover, in fact, merely serves as a stop to limit the upward movement of the pointed plunger 14.

In operation, the nozzle isl applied to the nipple in such a manner that the head 88 of the nipple passes through the aperture 89 of the y and flanged lower end 8l of the outer body and buttsl iiush against the lower end of the inner cylinder,

the jaws being spread outwards as described above.

When the grease gun is operated, grease under pressure is forced through the conduit 80A in the,l

hollow shank 88 of the nozzle body into the outer cylinder 19 above the cover 'i6 and the flanged piston 'i3 of the inner body, where it exerts a force downwards upon the inner body and piston, and upwards upon the outer body and its cover 19A.

Since the inner body is already in contact with the top of the nipple head 88, it cannot, strictly speaking, move downwards, and therefore Athe outer body i9 will move upwards relative to the nipple, the inwardly turning iiange 8| will engage the lower ends of the depending jaws 83 and force them to move radially inwards and grip the head of the nipple. This operation having been completed, further operation of the grease gun causes grease to pass through the hole, or holes, 8l' in the inner cylinder cover 'I6 and, having built up an increased pressure, to operate rst the inner annular piston 'I3 and then the plunger 14, as previously described.

Since both the second (Figure 3) and third constructions (Figure 5) depend for their successful operation on the concentric action of a set of movable jaws, itis possible, for the purpose of ensuring greater accuracy of alignment, to form lthe top of the nipple with a circular spigot 98,

as shown in Figure 6, which registers in a recess 9| in the inner body of the nozzle, similar to the recess 28A in Figure l, and formed to accommodate the circlip SIA on the piston tube.

Figure 7 shows the application of the nozzle of Figure 5 to a nipple having a teat constructed like that shown in Figure 2. It also shows how the spigot registration shown in Figure 6 can be applied to a construction where a teat constructed as shown in Figure 2 is used.

In a fourth constructional form the nozzle is adapted to be applied to the nipple by direct thrust only, and is accordingly not fitted with jaws at all.

In this construction as shown in Figure 8, the pointed plunger 92, which in previous constructions was slidable Within an annular piston, is now made integral and coaxial with the grease gun outlet conduit 93 or to a tting connected thereto and upon it is tted a sliding sleeve 94, the lower end of which is adapted to engage the head S5 of the teat, spreading the rubber and opening the inlet passage 96, as previously described.

Near the bottom end the sliding sleeve 94 is fitted with a flange 9T having a downwardly turning rim 98 adapted to fit over the head 99 of the nipple and form a guide.

The sliding sleeve with its flange and guide rim is thrust downwards by a spring 488 which encircles the sleeve, and reacts between the iiange and an abutment I8! on the outlet conduit of the grease gun or fitting.

A stop, which for convenience may be a pin |82 sliding in a slot E03, is provided to limit the outward motion of the sleeve under the iniiuence of the spring.

In operation the nozzle is applied to the nipple by direct thrust, being held in a position substantially the coaxial therewith. The rim 98 ts over the head 99 of the nipple and acts as a guide, locating the lower end of the tubular sleeve 94 and the teat in correct alignment.

A thrust on the grease gun or the said fitting first applies pressure to the head 95 of the teat, spreading the material and pulling the inlet end of the passage 98 open. This operation completed, the pointed end H14 of the plunger injector 92 is forced into the opened passage, the surrounding sleeve 94 sliding back against its spring.

On releasing the thrust on the grease gun or the said fitting the pointed end of the plunger is first withdrawn, the sleeve 04 again sliding forward and retaining contact with the head of the teat; then, finally, the sleeve and the head part company.

Figure 8A shows the application oi the nozzle of Figure 8 to a nipple having a teat constructed like that shown in Figure 2, the operation of this construction being the same as the operation of the construction shown in Figure 8.

In a fifth construction of the nozzle shown in Figure 9 by way of example of the manual operation of the nozzle jaws, the nipple may be of either of the types mentioned above which are adapted to be gripped by movable jaws, and the nozzle may be of the same general type as the first described construction (Figure 1), the fixed T-sectioned jaws being deleted and replaced by jaws capable of lateral movement, as in the third constructional form of nozzle.

Thus, the nozzle comprises a cylinder body l with an inlet duct |06,`and a hollow bore in which .amenace 13 slides: a `piston assembly i'l.- of the typey described in7 connection with the'rstfconstruction (Figure l) comprising a iiange and' a tubularpart. 1.08:.in which.l slides a.pointed;plunger 109.

Onthe outsideofthecylinder wall, atcr near the nipple engaging end, are hung .a numberof .jawsJ lil, .whileabove the jawsthe .wallis formed .with an` external thread lll upon which .is `screwed-ari internally threaded shell H2. :The outside ofthe shell isknurled so that .itcan y:be gripped and rotated by;hand,zandthe lowerien'd isfmadeconical at;| l.3.tof engage .with the bevelled ends of the jaws, so thatxwhen the shellis screwed upwards onthe .thread the jaws are yclosedradially:inw.ards.

In amodiiication, see Figure 10,;the jaws HBA may :be formed with areversedbevel such 'that .the1jawsare closed: inwards by. a downward move- .ment-of thehollow shell.

.Asl mentioned above in athe descriptions; of the .various ..constructions .of nozzles having jaws, .when ,the operation ofthe grease gun is discontinued, :the nozzle .plunger and pistonassembly return to'ftheir original positions under the in- .iiuence oftheir coil springs. ment of ,the parts causes a .back .flow of grease 4outzof .the bore of the nozzle body back through the conduit in the hollow shank of the nozzle towards thegrease gun. '.Itisftherefore necessary .thatthe outlet conduit ofthe greasegunrshall not have. a .non-return valve.

.It .will-be .appreciated that the invention isnot limitedito the constructional examples'given here, -butimany modifications both to the nipple and mhe; nozzle` are possible, thus, for example;

.It is .not essential thatthe lower .end-.of the outlet Ipassage in the :nipple should be of less I,diameter than ,the part ofthe .passage in which thetapered shank of theateatis arranged,.as described herein, hutzmaybe ofthe samediameter.

[Thenipple need notnecessarily be formed with ia langedhead as described, but as shown in Figure .11., .the head l I4 lmay alternatively be :formed .with a number of serrations or grooves I.L5,.the vjawsizl of theznozzlebeing formed with projections ll;1 ,toengagetherewith As shown `injligure v12, inlcases whenvainozzle ofthe fourth .construction is `used these serrationsiwill serve as aguidefor the rimil of the sleeve 9.4 equally as :wellas a circulariiange on .the nipple head.

Referring to Figure 13, V:the `nipple may vbe formed with an upper frustro-conical or .cylindrical part H8 andapartly hemispherical lower ipart |I9,.as disclosed in United Kingdom 'Patent No. 430,827. When used with the nozzle shown ,in Figure 8, the upper lpartengages .in the rim lS8-and when used with the nozzle shownin Figure .6 .theupper part engages in the inner cylinder L:part of the nozzle, and the jawsgripthe hemispherical `part VI 9.

Again, for use with a nozzle of the fourth construction :LFgure 8) the nipple-may have apzplain cylindrical body with no ange or serration Iat all, see Figure 14.

IThe hollow grease inlet shank of the nozzle inany of the constructions of nozzle may bear- :ranged at any desired angle to the axis .of the nozzle body. It may, also be providedwithone or .more ball or hinged-joints and may be connected tothe grease gun by a discharge conduit having koneor more such joints.

The pointed lower end of the .nozzle plunger, which-,acts as an injectonmay, `ifconvenient, :be lmade Amuch finer and .more .needle-like than shown in the .accompanying drawings, .and Vfur- This .return move- I. .f

fifi

ther it may be imade: as a separate memberattached torthe plunger asby screwing.

.'Iheteat, thecover sealing ring. or washer and the :piston sealing .rings in Ithe :nozzle body may all foe made of frubber, synthetic rubber or 'any other .mouldable, lubricant-impervious, flexible material.

.Itwillbeunderstood thatthe nipples and nozzles herein described may be used in systemsifor dispensing .greaseor thixotropic solids-or oil.

.Iclaimz Ll. `A nozzle for making detachable fluidti-glit connection with asheaded :iluid receivingnipple fitting :having .a passageway extending therethrough and anaxially pierceddeformable closurein said passageway disposed to form acontact surface onthe. head of the fitting, comprising a itubular body member having .a ltip including structureadaptedlto beY engaged-with' the head'of said tting for making detachable connection therewithpa tubular deforming member carried bysaicl tubular'body-member and'` having -a tubularftip, saidfdeformingimember being adaptedto besmoved axially offsaid fitting for engagingithe tubular .tip vwith lthe `deformable contact surface in said;tting.radially of the-pierced openingin the lclosurememberfor enlarging said opening radially, .an injector ynozzle in said deforming member movable ato extended position relative thereto, said injector nozzle having a-reduced-tip for-engaging in said pierced opening, and resilient meansleffective normallyto =urge said injector nozzle to retracted-position relative to said deforming member.

2..A nozzle for makingdetachable fluidtight connection witha headed iluid receiving nipple fitting having a Vpassageway extending therethroughandan/axially pierced deformable closurelinsaidpassageway disposed to'form a `contact surface onthe headofi thef'ttingcomprising atubular body member having a tip including structureffor making detachable connection with thehead 'orsaid fitting and=having a `part'for engaging f the head outwardly of Ysaid -closufre member therein for positioningsa-id nozzlerela- =.tive to said fitting, a tubular deforming member carried by lsaid tubular body member andhavingl a tubular tip, said deforming member being ada-ptedto be moved-axially-of -said fitting *"for engaging `the Vtubular tipl with the deformable contactsurface in said fitting r-adiallyof Athe `pierced opening in'theclosure member forenlarging said opening radially,.an.injector= nozzle infsaid .deforming membermovable to extended Yposition relative thereto, said injector nozzlev having` a reduced tip for engaging in said pierced opening, resilient meanseffective .normally to urge said injector nozzle to retracted position relative'to said deforminglmember, and'f'separate means deningthe limits of movement. of said deforming member andsaid injector. nozzle.

3. A nozzle. for making detachable .fluidtight connection with a headed fluid receivingnipple tting having a passageway extending therethrough and anaxiallypierced d-eformabieclosureinsaid passageway disposed toformacontact surface on the head. of the fitting, comprising a tubular body memberhaving a tip including structureforrning jaws adapted to be engaged :with the head of said tting for. making detachable-connection therewith, a tubular deforming memberhaving. a tubular tip adapted for engaging the deformable Contact surface in said; fitting .radially of .the piercedopening therein. for .en- V-larging said .opening radially, .piston v'forming means Vfor moving said deformingv member into engagement with said tting when fluid under pressure is applied to said nozzle, an injector nozzle movable in said deforming member, said injector nozzle having a reduced tip for engaging in said pierced opening, and separate resilient means effective normally to urge said deforming member and said injector nozzle to retracted position.

4. A nozzle as defined in claim 3, wherein the structure forming the tip of the tubular nozzle body member includes jaws adapted to be moved into clamping engagement with the head of said fitting for positioning the nozzle relative thereto, and one of the separate resilient means reacts between the deforming member and the injector nozzle, and the other resilient means reacts between said nozzle body member and said deforming member for urging the latter to retracted position.

5. A nozzle for making detachable fluidtight connection with a headed fluid receiving nipple tting having a passageway extending therethrough and an axially pierced deformable closure in said passageway disposed to form a contact surface on the head of the fitting, comprising a first tubular body member, means forming a second body member axially movable relative to said rst mentioned body member, a plurality of fitting engaging jaws carried by said second body member in said tubular body member, said jaws being moved into locking engagement with the head of said tting upon relative movement of said body members, means for making iluidtight connection with said fitting including a tubular fluid pressure operated deforming member in said second tubular member for engaging the deformable contact surface in said tting radially of the pierced opening therein, and a fluid pressure operated injector nozzle in said deforming member having a reduced tip for engaging in the deformed pierced opening, and separate resilient means effective normally to urge said deforming member and said injector nozzle to retracted position.

6. A nozzle for making detachable iiuidtight connection with a headed fluid receiving nipple tting having a passageway extending therethrough and an axially pierced deformable closure in said passageway disposed to form a contact surface on the head of the fitting, comprising a rst tubular body member, a second tubular member axially movable relative to said first mentioned -body member, a .plurality of fitting engaging jaws carried by said second tubular member in said tubular body member, said jaws being moved into locking engagement with the head of said fitting upon relative movement of said body members, piston means 'for moving said rst and second tubular members relatively axially upon the application of fluid under pressureto said nozzle, means for making fluidtight connection with said fitting including a tubular fluid pressure operated deforming member in said second tubular member for engaging the deformable contact surface in said fitting radially of the pierced opening therein, and a fluid pressure operated injector nozzle in said deforming member having a reduced tip for engaging in the deformed pierced opening, and separate resilient means effective normally to urge said deforming member and said injector nozzle to retracted position.

7. A nozzle for making detachable fiuidtight connection with a headed fluid receiving nipple CII fitting having a passageway extending .th-ere-l through and an axially pierced deformable closure in said passageway disposed to form a contact surface on the head of the fitting, comprising a first tubular body member, means forming a second tubular body member axially movable relative to said rst body member, a plurality of fitting engaging jaws carried by said second body member, piston forming means on said second body member for moving said body members relatively axially upon the application of uid under pressure to said nozzle, said jaws and first tubular body member having surfaces cooperating to move said jaws in a direction to clamp said fitting upon relative movement of said body members resulting from the application of fluid under pressure to said nozzle, means for making fluidtight connection with said tting including a tubular fluid pressure operated deforming member in said second tubular member for engaging the deformable contact surface in said fitting radially of the pierced opening therein1 and a fluid pressure operated injector nozzle in said deforming member having a reduced tip for engaging in the deformed pierced opening, and separate resilient means effective normally to urge said deforming member and said injector nozzle to retracted position.

8. A nozzle for making detachable fluidtight connection with a headed iiuid receiving nipple tting having a passageway extending therethrough and an axially pierced deformable closure in said passageway disposed to form a contact surface on the head of the fitting, comprising a first tubular body member, means forming a second tubular member axially movable relative to said rst body member, a plurality of tting engaging jaws carried by said second body member, piston forming means on said second body member for moving the body members relatively axially upon the application of fluid under pressure to said nozzle, said jaws and first tubular body member having surfaces cooperating to move said jaws in a direction to clamp said fitting upon relative movement of said body member resulting from the application of fluid under pressure to said nozzle, leaf spring means reacting between said jaws and second tubular body member for urging said jaws to disengaged position, means for making fluidtight connection 'with said tting including a tubular fluid pressure operated deforming member in said second tubular member for engaging the deformable contact surface in said fitting radially of the pierced opening therein, and a uid pressure operated injector nozzle in said deforming member having a reduced tip for engaging in the deformed pierced opening, and separate resilient means effective normally to urge said deforming member and said injector nozzle to retracted position.

9. A nozzle for making detachable fluidtight connection with a headed fluid receiving nipple fitting having a passageway extending therethrough and an axially pierced deformable closure in said passageway disposed to form a contact surface on the head of the fitting, comprising a body member including a part conformed internally to the head o-f said fitting to adapt said part for engagement upon said fitting by axial movement thereof relative to the fitting, and a tubular part; a second body member telescopically movable with respect to said rst body member and adapted for connection to a source of fluid under pressure, said second body member including means xed relative thereto forming a nozzle injector for engaging in said pierced opening upon telescopic movement of said body member in one direction, said nozzle injector receiving iiuid under pressure from said second body member, means forming a tubular deforming member adapted to engage said deformable contact surface in said fitting radially of the pierced opening therein for enlarging the opening radially in advance of the engagement of Said injector nozzle with the fitting, resilient means normally urging said body members in a direction opposite to the aforementioned direction, and means including a pin fixed relative to one of said members and a slot in the other member cooperating to guide relative movement of said members and determine the limits thereof.

10. A nozzle for making detachable fiuidtight connection with a headed fluid receiving nipple fitting having a passageway extending therethrough and an axially pierced deformable closure in said passageway disposed to form a contact surface on the head of the fitting, comprising a first tubular body member, means forming a second tubular body member axially movable relative to said first body member, a plurality of fitting engaging jaws carried by said second body member and having inner surface areas conformed to cooperate with complementary surfaces on the head of said fitting for assisting in securing the nozzle to said fitting, said jaws and first tubular body member having surfaces cooperating to move said jaws in a direction to yclamp said fitting upon relative movement of said body members and said second tubular body member having a part for engaging the head of said fitting to position the same and said jaws relative to said fitting, means for making fiuidtight connection with said fitting including a tubular fluid pressure operated deforming member in said second tubular member for engaging the deformable contact surface in said fitting radially of the pierced opening therein, and a fluid pressure operated injector nozzle in said deforming member having a reduced tip for engaging in the deformed pierced opening, and separate resilient means effective normally to urge said deforming member and said injector nozzle to retracted position.

11. A nozzle for making detachable iiuidtight connection with a headed iiuid receiving nipple fitting having a passageway extending therethrough and an axially pierced deformable closure in said passageway disposed to form a contact surface on the head of the fitting, comprising a first tubular body member, a second tubular body member axially disposed with respect to said first body member and fixed relative thereto to denne an annular space within 18 said rst body member, means forming an annular piston in said annular space, a plurality of fitting engaging jaws carried by said piston and moved into locking engagement with the head of the tting upon relative movement of the piston and body members, means for making uidtight connection with said fitting including a tubular fiuid pressure operated deforming member in said second tubular member for engaging the deformable contact surface in said fitting radially of the pierced opening therein, and a iiuid pressure operated injector nozzle in said deforming member having a reduced tip for engaging in the deformed pierced opening, and separate resilient means effective normally to urge said deforming member and said injector nozzle in retracted position.

12. A nozzle for making detachable fluidtight connection with a headed fluid receiving nipple fitting having a passageway extending therethrough and an axially pierced deformable closure in said passageway disposed to form a contact surface on the head of the fitting, comprising a first tubular body member, means forming a second tubular body member having screw threaded engagement with said first tubular body member adapting said bodies for adjustment axially upon relative rotative movement thereof, a plurality of fitting engaging jaws carried by said second body member, said jaws and first tubular body member having surfaces cooperating to move said jaws in a direction to clamp said tting upon relative rotative movement of said body members, means for making luidtight connection with said fitting including a tubular fiuid pressure operated deforming member in said second tubular member for engaging the deformable contact surface in said fitting radially of the pierced opening therein, and a iiuid pressure operated injector nozzle in said deforming member having a reduced tip for engaging in the deformed pierced opening, and separate resilient means effective normally to urge said deforming member and said injector nozzle to retracted position.

CAMILLE CLARE SPRANKLING LE CLAIR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in tle file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 14,667 Winkey June 10, 1919 1,711,870 Zerk May 7, 1929 1,977,847 Gentte Oct. 23, 1934 2,047,132 Williams July 7, 1936 

